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THE GEORGIAN TIMES: “THERE IS A THREAT OF INTERNATIONAL ISOLATION FOR GEORGIA”
“Citizens of Georgia, it’s time take our position on the situation which has developed over the last few years. This is no time for fear or compromise. We should no longer wait for positive change, stability and progress as we did in 2003. The last two years have shown us that this Government is unable to provide stable development for the country.”
“It’s time for all citizens to express their will to make changes, through participation in plebiscites and demonstrations. Our political parties are ready to implement the will of the people and furthermore, bear responsibility for the future development of the country and perform the main function in the region successfully,” Irakli Alasania, the leader of the Alliance for Georgia, has told GT.
GT interviewed Alasania about his plans.
Q: The Government’s opponents expected that you would have been more active than you have been. Do you think you have missed the chance to become the leader of a united opposition?
A: I believe that events since my resignation have developed quite logically. Everything has its rules. I was obliged by protocol to return to New York and make my leaving arrangements. I also had to hold consultations with politicians, as a result of which we have formed the new Alliance for Georgia. Now negotiations are under way for the co-ordination of opposition forces. Therefore this is as far as I could have got right now. As for missing chances, we will see. We need to coordinate the opposition now, and believe me, leaders will also appear when this has been achieved.
The opposition parties have one and the same aim; their difference is in our view of the tactics necessary for achieving our goal, but this will not prevent us putting a joint plan into operation. The public will be informed of the opposition’s coordination plans in a day or two.
Q: The majority of politicians are interested in making radical statements. You don’t do this. What new thing are you offering our country, what is your short-term programme?
A: Today’s main issue is to ensure that society is unanimous in its will to change the Government. This will stimulate politicians’ consolidation. We need to concentrate our forces and act in accordance with a specific political plan. This needs much work, but the process is at an advanced stage.
The Government ignored our call for a referendum, which would have dissipated the tension now building up. We are on our way to organizing a plebiscite and searching for alternative ways to express people’s will.
Q: How strong is the possibility of mass participation in the demonstrations on April 9?
A: We plan to coordinate with other parties sharing our common aim. The opposition aims to change the Government peacefully within the framework of the constitution. I think this will help society overcome its fear of expressing its will openly. I am sure we’ll consolidate in a few days and that cooperation will continue after April too. This is another chance for us to show people that we know exactly what we are doing.
We should work out our plans for the future development of Georgia after making the fundamental changes. We should also set foreign policy and devise an economic plan to overcome the crisis. We also need to continue the process of conflict resolution.
Q: What are the current threats to Georgia and what should be done to resist them?
A: The only way to combat the threats to our country is to establish dialogue between people and opposition. We need to understand the needs of society, we should meet with people in the regions and develop a vision of the future of the country. What function should Georgia fulfill in the region and the world?
Q: So what is your position on this – what role do you think Georgia should fulfil?
A: We have concrete suggestions for the future, but presentation is needed to make people believe in positive changes. We need to assure people that a change of Government will stimulate the stable development of our country, or we will go nowhere. The only way to achieve our common aim is to hold free elections and choose a leader and Parliament reflecting the views of society. Free elections will be the guarantee that chasm between Government and society will be bridged.
Q: Some experts say the opposition has had the chance to change the government a few times already, but it could not handle the responsibility of doing it. Are you ready to bear that responsibility now?
A: Of course, I had that belief when I decided to enter politics. I still have it and I will continue fighting to achieve our political aims. We have a strong desire for change and want to take coordinated steps with other political parties. We have good conditions in which to achieve our objectives now.
Q: To take this responsibility you need not only self-confidence but human and financial resources, do you not?
A: Our alliance uses the financial, structural and infrastructural resources of its constituent parties. I am sure we’ll have the support of society and businessmen in the nearest future and that’s why I have good reason to state that we’ll reach our aim soon. Now we only need to consolidate society, to show the Government that society wants change. Then the will of the people must eventually be manifest.
Q: What is your point about the Government’s intentions? Does the Government understand that change is being demanded? It has been said that the Government is also preparing for elections.
A: Unfortunately the Government has no effective programme for averting the crisis. This is why the question of new elections has arisen.
Q: The President has said that a lot of money has been accumulated by the opposition and this must be monitored. What do you think the President meant by this?
A: Presumably he meant that some political groups are being financed from outside the country, but I really don’t have any information which would lead me to think that any political party is receiving money from another country. If the Government has any proof of this it must reveal it.
Q: Some experts and opponents of the Government suggest a few scenarios of how things might develop from here. One of these is renewing armed conflict with Russia. Some others suppose that the Government will be transferred and in this scenario you would be one of the candidates for President.
A: I am pragmatic and don’t support conspiracy theories. I don’t have concrete information about conflict escalation plans, but in our current situation we do face that risk. In August the President involved the country in armed conflict through his imprudent steps. This is another reason I and other political parties request changes and free elections. The President of Georgia does not have any moral, international or personal authority to lead country out of its crisis. That is the reason why the question of fundamental change has arisen.
Q: If armed conflict starts will the opposition declare a moratorium on public criticism, as it did last year?
A: It is not right to make hypotheses about what the opposition will do in this situation. It something provocative happens our response will be adequate, but in these conditions the issue of social responsibility is very important. Not only do the opposition parties have a responsibility to criticize the Government. When the President is irresponsible, each citizen has the obligation to make an adequate response and express their attitude towards his behaviour.
Q: Do you mean that the opposition made a mistake by declaring the moratorium last year?
A: When the armed aggression and occupation of territories began, political parties made the correct decision to resist Russian attempts at destabilization. All political parties respected the national interest, but after we all discovered that avoiding the armed conflict had been possible and that we got involved in it due to irresponsible and unforeseen political actions we started criticizing. Politicians and people are both responsible for the political situation and obliged to express their position.
Q: You said the Government has no resources left. What risks do we face if it remains in power? How strong is the risk of international isolation?
A: Yes, the risk of this is great and increasing daily. Our President has become an uncertain partner for European and regional friends. That’s why each day we drift further from our partners will be fatal for Saakashvili as well as the country.
Q: You have had some high ranking meetings at the European Union. What is their position?
A: Yes, I have had a few meetings with dignitaries of the European Union and I can confirm that they want to help Georgia achieve democracy. They have seen that Georgia has an autocracy and weakened democratic institutions. They have confirmed their support for strengthening democratic institutions in Georgia.
Q: What about America’s position, is it the same?
A: Yes, the American establishment does not support a single politician, but the democratic development of the country. They think Georgia will only use international assistance effectively if there is greater democracy.
Q: You often say that the only way to settle conflict is through dialogue. Do you intend working in this direction?
A: When I was a member of the Government and took part in negotiations I always gave priority to direct dialogue with the Abkhazian side. I tried to gain the support of international organizations, the European Union, United Nations etc. for projects deepening confidence between the sides, such as economic, humanitarian and cultural projects.
Q: Are you consulting with the authors of the economic programme for settling the Abkhazian conflict?
A: Ye, I have coordinated with this group and continue consulting it. We don’t have to wait and become hostages of the situation. We need to use all available resources in order to create a good basis for conflict resolution and confidence. I had my own means of making contacts with the Abkhazian side and will fully utilize it. Experts will also work on some regulation mechanisms.
Q: Will these experts enter your Alliance?
A: It’s important to provide political coordination with these people and cooperation designed to produce results. But experts should remain independent and not be associated with any political party or politicians and people involved in the regulation process. All of them should use their experience effectively in their own spheres.
Q: If Saakashvili uses force against the people as he did on November 7, should we expect the same scenario as in 2003?
A: I hope and am sure that people working in Government structures are patriots, professionals and honest. I am sure that they will stand by the side of the people. Of course there are people in Government who evaluate the situation differently, but not many.
Saakashvili remains one of the inadequate ones. That’s why we can’t exclude anything, but if Saakashvili understands what the will of the people is, I am sure he will not be able to ignore it. So I call on society to consolidate once more.
“The Georgian Times”, March 16, 2009
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